Biblioteca Archivio "Renato Maestro"

Renato Maestro library opened in 1981 in Venice's historic Jewish ghetto. The library was established to promote the written and archival heritage of the Jewish community of Venice, in fulfillment of the vision expressed in the will of the late Renato Maestro. 

Reproductions of records and books are according to the Italian legislation and are submitted to the archives' director approval. 

The Library maintains almost 600 archival files. Furthermore holds book collection of history, religion, fiction, periodicals, ancient books, and a video library. Of special interest are the Jewish archives which are conserved in the Renato Maestro Library Archive, containing documents dating back to 1589 . Of particular importance are the documents of the Board of Directors and the Presidency that comprise the regulatory documents of the Community through 1949, as well as the sets that cover the Civil and State Registry, the Catechumens and abjurations, Discriminations, Persecutions, deportations. This archive has been reorganized and there is a printed inventory. Documentation from 1815 through the current era, stored in the archival warehouse, was recently re-organized and newly ordered. 

The library is intended to help spread knowledge of Jewish civilization and culture, particularly as to the Jews of Venice and Italy.